"The 2018 Durfort-Vivens is off the charts. Rich, dense and exotically ripe, the 2018 is a full-throttle Margaux that stands out for its textural intensity, volume and concentration. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, mint and sweet spice are all kicked up a few notches in this spectacularly rich, alluring wine from Gonzague Lurton. Yields were a punishing 10 hectoliters per hectare as opposed to 45 that is the norm. Lurton opted to vinify the little wine he had exclusively in amphora. The wine will age in 70% new oak and 30% terra cotta. Its hard to say exactly where the 2018 is going to go, but the en primeur sample is incredibly impressive. The blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc." - VINOUS (ANTONIO GALLONI) (5/1/2019), Ratings: 93-96

"This is a crazy wine. Everything was done by hand, without electricity, because it was made in seven-hectoliter amphora. The grapes were hand-sorted. It’s full-bodied with tannins that are integrated so well into the wine, which gives it tension and freshness. Blackberries. Lavender. 10 hectoliters. Best Dufort ever?" - JAMES SUCKLING (4/12/2019), Ratings: 96-97

"Another biodynamic estate that suffered low yields in 2018, clocking in at just 10hl/ha. But it has done a brilliant job with the remaining juice: all the winemaking was done in amphorae because the vats were too big for the small production, with 70% of the wine moved into new oak barrels after malolactic fermentation for ageing, the other 30% staying in the amphorae. It's hugely inky in colour, totally beautiful, with gourmet dark chocolate and damson notes that fill out the mid-palate. There's less Cabernet in the blend than usual but they have kept the elegance, with perhaps a touch more softness in overall texture than is usual in Durfort at this stage. The extremely fine tannins make this feel effortless and it doesn't suffer from the over-concentration that is always a risk at these yields." - Decanter (JANE ANSON), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2027 - 2042

Effective October 18, 2019, the US Trade Representative's Office imposed a new 25% value-added tax (i.e., import tariffs) on a wide range of European products (including French wine, Italian cheese and single malt Scotch whisky) to penalize EU subsidies for Airbus. EU has made counter-claims agains the US subsidies for Boeing. A ruling by WTO on EU's counter-claims is expected in the spring of 2020.

For any Futures (en primeur) and Pre-Arrival items, our current prices are shown before taxes and tariffs. Prior to shipment, we may have to collect any tariffs levied by the US government at the time. Tariffs will be based on the date of importation and the rate of US tariffs in place at the time. Current rules exempt wines with alcohol content above 14.5% from the newly imposed 25% tariffs. We will offer free storage in our professional wine cellar in Bordeaux in the event of any delay in importation caused by the uncertainties created by tariffs.